Gardening in February – What to do

We celebrate Valentine’s day this month and you might be thinking of sending your loved one cut flowers – but wouldn’t it be nice if you got the beauty of flowers but they lasted longer? There are several potted plants available at this time of year that would make a great Valentine’s Day gift, especially if your loved one is a gardener. Our favourite plants for Valentine’s day are Kalanchoe, Orchids, Begonias, and Roses.

Prevent evaporation and soil erosion by adding compost to your flowerbeds. Adding a layer of compost or mulch will suppress the growth of weeds, plant diseases and pests. Compost encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient filled material. This month we are spreading the benefit with our 30 dm Master Organic Boutique compost promotion. See our Facebook page and instore for more details.

Continue sowing succession crops of Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Swiss chard, and Rocket. From the end of February into March sow cool-season vegetables like Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Lettuce, Peas, Onions, and Spinach. Herbs like Basil, Coriander, Nasturtium and flat-leaf Parsley can be sown too.

More important than being merely annoying, flies are known to spread disease. Their sticky foot pads used to anchor them to surfaces, carry leftover particles of excrement or garbage, which in turn can be transferred onto your food. Opt for a Pyrethrin based insecticide such as Kombat Flies (On promotion R89.00) to get rid of them. For a complete organic option, you can use the Starke Ayres Organic Fly Trap.

Work plenty of Compost into the soil. Organic matter is essential for microbial growth and crucial to healthy soil. Worm Tea is available on tap at both Garden Centres boosting the microbial activity in the soil. By using Worm Tea you can expect larger fruit and flowers and healthier hardier plants. Healthy roots = Healthy Plants. 

Fertilis Earthworm Castings is a versatile product for certified organic gardening. Use Fertilis for Indoor and outdoor pot plants, as lawn dressing for roses and flowers, shrubs, fruit trees, edibles, bonsai, and seedlings. This organic fertiliser is odourless, weed free, non-burning and environmentally friendly.

Control Red Spidermite. Red Spider breeds in drought-like conditions when the sap flow is sluggish and more concentrated. The mites suck the sap out of leaves, which fall off and expose the stems to the direct sun. Treat plants with Seizer from Makhro Home and Garden or Redspidercide from Efekto or try a complete organic solution like Diatomaceous Earth. 

Continue to feed summer vegetables still producing good crops. Scatter either Talborne 6:3:4 , Bounce Back or Starke Ayres 3:1:5 along the rows or apply a liquid fertiliser such as Sea Secret, Gorganic or Guanoflo.

Starke Ayres, West Coast Village

Tel: 021 554 8450